Ambassador Cruise Line
Alan cruised on Ambassador Ambience, sailing north to Norway hoping to see the northern Lights, did he see them? ... read on.
The sun had set and with a cold wind blowing we said goodbye to Tilbury and began our journey along the Thames heading for the North Sea and eventually Norway.
Ambience
My cabin, a balcony on deck 11, was spacious with a large comfortable bed and more than enough drawer and hanging space for a long voyage. The cabin was well equipped with hairdryer, kettle, coffee sachets, milk, fridge and tv. For those bringing their own electrical items there was one UK 3 pin socket and one requiring an Australian adapter plus a USB slot. Balcony had a table plus two recliners to relax on and watch the world go by.
The Main dining room on deck 7 is the Buckingham operating two seatings for dinner 6pm & 8.15pm but open seating for breakfast and lunch. The buffet, Borough Market, is located on deck 12. For something special, Saffron, specialising in various dishes from India or Sea & Grass, a dining experience having 7 ‘Acts’ on a fixed menu plus the Al Fresco Grill for that burger by the pool. This is a ship that caters to the tastes of most cruisers with 7 bars, 2 coffee locations, large theatre, 2 lounges with pianist/violinist etc. swimming pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot tubs and large sunbathing areas. On decks 6 and 7 are a selection of shop varying from quality garments to a small area selling toiletries. During the late evening the staff circulate the ship with ‘Late Night Nibbles’.
Ports of call
Our first port was Haugesund a small town of less than 38,000 inhabitants situated on Karmsundet Sound and only 90 minutes from the Langfoss Waterfall. The waterfall is breath taking, cascading 650 feet into the fjord below and said to be the most photographed waterfall in Norway, attracting 650,00 visitors a year. CNN voted it as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. At 4pm we sail for our next port, Alesund.
The following morning, we arrive in Alesund situated at the entrance to Hjørund Fjord and a backdrop of snow covered mountains. Due to the immense amount or art deco designed buildings it is said by some to be the most beautiful city in Norway. The city covers several islands and is also a busy port as accessing Alesund by any means other than ferry is limited. Heading north it gets dark early, as we sail, the town with its lights resemble a fairy wonderland.
It’s now onto Trondheim situated at the mouth of the Nidelva River on the south side of Trondheim Fjord and established over 1,000 years ago. Trondheim in the days of the Vikings was Norway’s first capital but now ranks as 3rd largest city in Norway with a population in excess of 200,000. Trondheim is a wonderful city for exploring, visit Nidaros Cathedral dating back to the 13th century with seating for over 1,800. It was built over the burial site of King Olav who became, and still is, the patron saint of Norway. The Bishops Palace houses the army museum. To see more of the city at a leisurely pace take a trip on the Trondheim Tram. We sail at 6pm and the following day we are at sea and a time to explore the ship. Going out on deck there are representatives from the ORCA Society whose mission is to protect Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises and the like throughout the world. Over the course of the cruise several whale species were seen and the reps gave some interesting talks. I was lucky enough to have them at my dinner table in the evenings and they were fascinating to listen to.
That night we cross the Artic Circle into the Arctic as we head towards Alta.
The approach to Alta, our first port in the Artic, is through narrow fjords, past amongst snow covered mountains, frozen waterfalls, small villages and houses so close you can see the lights at their windows. The milder weather has gone, snow is falling as we head to our berth in the city.
Alta is home to the Northern Lights Cathedral, the most unlikely looking cathedral you will ever see. Experience a dog carting adventure or something more leisurely take one of the ships excursions and visited a Sámi Village, home to the indigenes people of the territory. Although the temperature was said to be a high of 6c with the breeze it felt more like -6c
Located nearly 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle is our next port of call, Tromsø built on an island, is joined to the mainland by the Tromsø Bridge and an undersea tunnel. Another Arctic city where you are spoilt for choice of what to do. The Arctic Cathedral, shaped as an elongated inverted V is one of the places that many of the passenger’s head for whilst others take in the Arctic City, Cable Car and Planetarium. Now we are so far north it gets dark early, in Tromso it was dark by 2.15pm
As towns in Norway go Narvik is fairly new having been built as a port in the late 1800’s to ship iron ore mined in Sweden. Try a tourist train, the Ofoten Line, carries passengers on part of the Arctic Train route. Visit the Polar Wildlife Park and see Bear, Moose, Lynx, Wolf and more. Take the Narvikjellet Cable Car on its 4 minute journey to the upper cable station and enjoy panoramic views. As we sail the captain announces the Northern lights are about to appear. I rushed to my balcony in time to see the beautiful green dancing shapes spreading across the sky. They only last for a few minutes but those few minutes have made the voyage a memory of a lifetime.
Norway’s 2024 Capital of Culture and our last port of call in the Artic, Bodo.
Arriving in darkness the lights from the sea front and docks reflect upon the fresh snow as early morning traffic makes it way along treated roads. The city features the renowned Stormen Public Library affording wonderful views over the harbour, the Aviation Museum or ride a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) to the Saltstraumen and see the world’s largest maelstrom. At 3.30pm it all aboard as we get ready to sail to our last port of call and say goodbye to the Arctic.
Known as ‘The Gateway to the Fjords’, Bergen, but for me, my last port of call in this beautiful country. One not to miss is the Floibanen Funicular Railway. It’s about a 6 minute ride to the summit of Mount Floyen almost 1,000 feet above sea level. Climbing through tunnels it becomes apparent that part of Bergen is built on the mountain side, Attaining the summit, the views are stunning taking in 180 degree vistas over the town to the mountains, harbour and islands beyond, this is what memories are made of. Bergen also operates a Hop On, Hop Off Bus
Conclusion
This is a cruise that created many memories. Having cruised the area before but in summer when the waterfalls are in full flow, I was excited to see how it would be in the winter, and I was not disappointed. Spectacular scenery as we sailed along fjords between mountains covered in snow, stunning sunsets of reds and orange with sunrises bringing a glow over small villages and towns, and of course the Northern Lights dancing across the sky in a spell binding silence.
During the cruise was Remembrance Sunday and for this special occasion on board was a chaplain who held the main service at 11am in the ship’s theatre where a provisional count of those attending exceeded 200. The stage area was beautifully decorated with an altar of poppies, a small tree onto which you could write and hang a label to a loved one who was no longer here. There was even a portable organ played by the chaplain’s husband. A further service was held in the ship’s atrium later in the day for all those who had been out on tour in the morning. Again, the area was filled to overflowing.
Travelling as a solo was a pleasure, I was so well catered for that at no time did I feel alone, there was always someone to chat with. On the first sea day was the solo’s cocktail party in the Observatory hosted by members of the Future Cruises Team, waiters serving drinks and canapés. 134 solos were present many of whom were repeat passengers. Midway into the cruise a Solos Lunch was arranged, again extremely well attended and then on the last sea day as we headed home was the Farewell Party. Every day there were 3 daily meet ups for those who wanted to go ashore together or arrange dinner venues etc. but these were not hosted. This cruise line is exceptional for solo travellers, with 134, the majority repeat passengers, it’s easy to see why.
Alan Fairfax November 2024
Alan was a guest of Ambassador Cruise Line.
For further details of cruises contact www.ambassadorcruiseline.com
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